A. Sermon Notes

Mark 15:1-15 (full passage)

“Power Plays”
Mark 15:1-15

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Perspectives of Power
1. Jewish Temple vs. Roman Empire
2. Sanhedrin vs. Pontius Pilate
3. Barabbas vs. Jesus

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Perspectives of Power
1. Jewish Temple vs. Roman Empire

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Perspectives of Power
1. Jewish Temple vs. Roman Empire
2. Sanhedrin vs. Pontius Pilate

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Pontius Pilate
- Roman governor of Palestine (“Prefect” of Judea)
- Resided in Caesarea Maratima (70 miles from Jerusalem)
- Served in role 10+ years, longest term of any Prefect of Judea
- Not a great reputation; eventually removed by emperor

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Pilate Toward Jesus:
- “I find no guilt in this man.”
- “Why? What evil has he done?”
- “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.”
- “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.”

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Pilate Toward Jews:
- “Inflexible, stubborn and cruel…” - Philo
- Roman icons in the Jewish Temple
- Robbing offerings to build an aqueduct

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Early Envy
(Genesis 4)

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Envy, ironically, emerges from our Pride and thinking we are better than others. Envy is being consoled and satisfied with the misfortune of others when things are going well for us. Or despising others when things are not going well for us but they are for others. Envy shows up in our grumbling, accusing, resentment, despise, and slander, annoyances at others good, criticism, lies and ultimately hatred. “If you wince or wither at another’s success and despise the giver, the gifts, or the gifted, beware of your precious envy.” (David Naugle in “Reordered Love Reordered Lives).
Envy squashes empathy and kills our love for others.
~ Pastor Chad Hollowell

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Perspectives of Power
1. Jewish Temple vs. Roman Empire
2. Sanhedrin vs. Pontius Pilate
3. Barabbas vs. Jesus

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Barabbas
- Bar-mitzvah “son of” “commandment”
- Simon Bar-Jonah “son of” “Jonah”
- Bar-abbas “son of” “daddy”

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Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus Barabbas?

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The better Jesus, the perfect Son of Abba.

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B. Discussion Questions

1. Read the Mark 15:1-15. What questions do you have of the text? What do you remember about the sermon? What was clear? What was confusing?
2. Pontius Pilate perceived that the chief priests were envious of Jesus. What are some reasons the would have been envious of Jesus?
3. Scholars suggest Pontius Pilate was trying to be manipulative by suggesting Jesus for his annual tradition of pardoning. How might envy have motivated his power play?
4. Where have you seen envy invade your life? Is it easier to see it in yourself or in others?
5. In the end Jesus—fully God—laid down His divinity and His human life in exchange for the condemned life of Barrabus. Almighty, all-powerful in place of condemned and powerless. How does this power play illustrate “the great exchange?” How are we all Barrabus?
6. Pray for each other.